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It is with great pride that the teams involved in the design and construction of the Îlot Balmoral (in Montreal’s Place des Festivals) reacted upon learning that the project is among the finalists in the Best Mixed-Use Development category of the prestigious international competition organized by MIPIM (Marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier), the world’s premier real estate market event. The competition evaluates projects on architectural signature, innovation, environmental characteristics and integration into their surroundings.

The Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM), owner and developer for the project, entrusted architecture firm Provencher_Roy with the mandate to design an iconic cultural building to complete the Place des Festivals. Thanks to its tenants the National Film Board of Canada and the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi’s École des arts numériques, de l’animation et du design (UQAC NAD), the Îlot Balmoral has become the showcase for cinema and digital arts in the Quartier des spectacles.

Nancy Shoiry, executive director of the SHDM: “From the start, the SHDM wanted a remarkable, ambitious project that embodies Montreal’s creative spirit and integrates the strictest standards in ecological responsibility. Our partners at Provencher_Roy met the challenge with talent, and we are proud that Îlot Balmoral distinguishes itself in international competitions. I would add that, as a paramunicipal entity, we are also proud to have achieved this exceptional building and to have it be a part of our wide real estate portfolio.”

Claude Provencher, senior partner and co-founder of Provencher_Roy: “To have our work recognized by observers who are exposed to the best projects the world has to offer is always a source of tremendous pride. With the SHDM’s vision and ambition on our side, we developed an architectural concept for Îlot Balmoral that transforms the urban landscape while being ecologically responsible, appealing to the public and rewarding for the organizations it hosts. Our thoughts at this time also turn to our late colleague Eugenio Carelli, who made a large contribution, with the team, to the project’s success and who would have been proud of this recognition.”

With its exceptional visual appeal, the Îlot Balmoral contributes to the glittering character of the Place des Festivals, a place of gathering and culture. An immense oblique “fault line,” in a bright red hue, divides the building  into two distinct forms, revealing a full-height atrium that allows natural light in to generously illuminate the suspended walkways connecting the two volumes. The Îlot’s lobby was designed with pedestrians in mind and will make it possible for them to easily cross this public space, whose lower floors are glazed on three sides.

The Îlot Balmoral is a candidate for LEED-NC Gold certification. It was designed and built according to the principles of sustainable development, favouring energy efficiency and air quality and featuring a green roof and installations conducive to the use of active modes of transportation and clean forms of energy.

The Îlot Balmoral distinguished itself in a highly competitive field of 228 quality projects from 45 countries. The winners of the 2020 edition of this prestigious real estate competition will be announced during the annual meeting of the Marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier (MIPIM), to be held March 10 through 13, 2020 in Cannes, France. For a complete list of finalists in all categories, click here.

From the excavation phase to the moving in of the tenants, view a video of the impressive evolution over the years of the work site located at the northwest corner of the Place des Festivals.

At the holiday season, the SHDM decided to pay tribute to the community sector with which it collaborates on a daily basis. The SHDM is therefore pleased to make an additional donation to the organization Grossesse-Secours.

In fact, donations were made to three organizations chosen by our employees. The SHDM then launched a call for votes from the general public to determine which of these organizations would receive an additional donation. It was through video clips that it was possible to learn more about the mission of the selected organizations.

« The SHDM’s impact on the reality of Montrealers is a source of accomplishment for our team and we wanted to pass on, through these video clips and donations, values that inspire us on a daily basis. It was also important to us to highlight and promote organizations that work for Montreal families » explained Nancy Shoiry, Managing Director of the SHDM.

There is still time to discover the organizations chosen by our employees:
– Grossesse-Secours: https://www.grossesse-secours.org
– Pause Famille: https://www.pausefamille.org
– Carrefour Parenfants: https://www.carrefourparenfants.org/

DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Are you looking for a community resource for yourself or a loved one, or would you like to become a volunteer? Consult the interactive 211 service map to find the ideal organization: https://www.211qc.ca/en/directory/montreal 

During this festive time of the year, the SHDM wishes to highlight the generosity of its employees and pay tribute to the organizations in the community they work with on a daily basis. As such, donations has been made to three community organizations chosen by our employees: Carrefour Parenfants, Grossesse-Secours and Pause Famille.

Now it’s up to you to participate! Whether you are a SHDM tenant, an owner of an Accès Condos accredited unit, one of our partners, a Montrealer interested in housing affordability and urban issues or quite a citizen who wishes to contribute to supporting a community organization, we invite you to join our community and vote.

Watch the video clips to discover the organizations and their representatives and vote before January 10, 2020 to choose who will receive an additional donation from the SHDM.

TO VOTE – Thank you all for your participation and happy holidays!

The Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) has been mandated by Ville de Montréal to carry out a pre-feasibility study to guide and oversee the development of the southern portion of Îlot Voyageur.

The SHDM’s mandate includes the development of a functional program and budget, a preliminary project and a technical pre-feasibility analysis, the definition of new zoning with the borough of Ville-Marie as well as a call for expressions of interest for the development of the southern portion of Îlot Voyageur.

« The SHDM has acquired unique expertise in the development of urban sites, adapting its interventions to each situation and the specific needs of the neighbourhood. The mandate given today by Ville de Montréal will enable us to get involved in an area that we know well. The Îlot Voyageur project will undoubtedly be a key component of the Quartier latin and we are very pleased to be part of it, » stated Nancy Shoiry, Executive Director of the SHDM.

Due to its outstanding location, close to the Berri-UQAM metro station, the Grande Bibliothèque, the Université du Québec à Montréal, the concert halls and Parc Émilie-Gamelin, this site is ideal for contributing to Ville de Montréal’s social and affordable housing objectives. The upcoming project could also form a civic hub with Ville-Marie Borough Hall, the Borough’s Citizens’ Services and administrative offices as well as a hub of administrative offices.

A newcomer on the Griffintown landscape, the mixed project located at the corner of Guy and Ottawa streets—including the Accès Condos accredited project H3C, the address of families and first-time buyers, as well as L’Habitation 21 and L’Habitation 22, the two housing cooperatives—has already changed the neighbourhood’s silhouette. It is now preparing to welcome more than 300 new households that will contribute to the development of this neighbourhood.

The developer of the Nouveau Havre inc. project has given us confirmation of the progress of the project:

• H3C accredited Accès Condos project: With the final stages of finishing the units now under way, the last phase will focus on the common spaces, the installation of French (all-glass) doors leading to the balconies and the development of the private terraces. The owners will gradually move into their units during the month of June.
• L’Habitation 22 NPO co-housing project: Delivered to Socam in May. The final stages of finishing the common spaces and inspection are currently under way.
• L’Habitation 21 NPO co-housing project: The waterproofing of the building envelope has been completed since January, and the brick has already been completed on the north and west façades. The metal exterior claddings will be installed after that. Plumbing and electricity have been completed, while cabinetry and ceramics are progressing from floor to floor.
• Common inner courtyard: Although the weather has been very changeable, the landscaping and development of the inner courtyard, including stone surfaces and greenery, will begin during the month of May.

Surrounded by several lots that were developed in recent years by private developers, this community and affordable project is adjacent, on either side, to two parks and to a future public square facing rue Ottawa.

In collaboration with many partners, private or institutional owners such as the SHDM, Projet Logement Montréal (PLM) has already enabled more than 300 people to get off the streets.

This program, created by La Maison du Père, the Welcome Hall Mission, the Old Brewery Mission and Accueil Bonneau, is part of the Housing First movement. « The idea is super-simple and it goes like this: to get people off the street, you have to give them… housing, » wrote Patrick Lagacé in a column entitled « Renaître », published last Sunday in La Presse+.

Patrick met with Michel, who is benefiting from the PLM program and who opened his door to Patrick out of gratitude to all those who have « helped him over all those years ». The columnist’s perspective is insightful, informative and supported by a wealth of information.

A column worth reading that once again confirms the value of the collaborative efforts of the SHDM and PLM.

• READ PATRICK LAGACÉ’S COLUMN « RENAITRE » (in French only)
• DISCOVER THE PROJET LOGEMENT MONTRÉAL (PLM)

 

Image source: La Presse